Harry Redknapp was searching for a player with similar physical qualities to former Birmingham City midfielder Papa Bouba Diop when he sent director of football Jeff Vetere on a scouting mission earlier this summer.

Bouba Diop isn’t well remembered by Blues fans and only made two Championship appearances under Lee Clark as one of the former boss’ stop-gap signings.

But under Redknapp at Portsmouth he was a powerful, combative anchorman in midfield who allowed others to thrive in his presence.

Bedding in

However, Ndoye’s early showings in Royal Blue haven’t quite mimicked that of his countryman. While Bouba Diop tended to sit deep in midfield and free up his more talented team-mates to express themselves, Ndoye is far more adventurous.

Redknapp has often sat 6ft 4in Ndoye just ahead of a more defensively minded player - the exact job Bluenoses anticipated Ndoye would be doing.

Ndoye is still learning the English language and will undoubtedly feel more at home when he can communicate freely with his team mates.

The 31-year-old has looked a little off the pace in the opening five Championship games of the season and didn’t emerge from the half time team talk against either Bolton Wanderers or Reading.

His languid and lolloping style doesn’t appear suited to fast-paced Championship football - but he has his uses.